Mondego Green Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Lages

Location

The Parque Verde do Mondego extends along both banks of the Mondego River, in the heart of the city of Coimbra. Located in the riverside area, between the Santa Clara and Rainha Santa Isabel bridges, this green space offers a privileged view of the city and the natural surroundings of the river. Its central position in the town of Coimbra, in the Lages area, allows for easy integration with urban dynamics, inviting moments of rest and activity by the water.

A New Relationship with the River

Inaugurated in 2004, the Parque Verde do Mondego was designed with the objective of redefining the connection between Coimbra and its river, which was once more distant from daily life. The project, authored by architect Camilo Cortesão, transformed this riverside front into a leisure area of approximately 400,000 square meters, returning the Mondego to its inhabitants and visitors. Its creation marked a turning point, bringing the city closer to nature and offering platforms at different levels that gradually approach the water's surface.

Active Leisure and Discovery

This extensive green space provides various paths for walking or cycling, with over four kilometers of routes along the banks of the Mondego. On the right bank, a vast green area is complemented by wooden platforms that project over the river, ideal for enjoying the landscape. Also found here is the Pavilhão Centro de Portugal, a notable structure designed by architects Souto Moura and Álvaro Siza Vieira. On the left bank, the park invites sports and social gatherings, with a sand area for beach volleyball, a space for skateboarding, and children's play equipment. There are also pavilions dedicated to nautical activities such as canoeing, rowing, and sailing, which enliven the bank, especially on weekends.

The Pedro e Inês Bridge: A Mark of Modernity

One of the most distinctive elements of the park is the Pedro e Inês Pedestrian Bridge, inaugurated in 2006. This bridge, with its 275 meters in length and an asymmetric design, connects the two banks of the Mondego River, facilitating pedestrian circulation between the park areas. It is characterized by a wooden walkway and colorful glass safety railings, yellow, blue, green, and pink, which create a vibrant visual effect. In the center of the bridge, an eight-meter-wide plaza offers a point for contemplation and to appreciate the view over the river and the city of Coimbra, standing out as an example of modern architecture and innovation.

Details and Curiosities

In the Parque Verde do Mondego, one can find the "Urso Grande Verde" (Big Green Bear), an emblematic sculpture that has become a landmark in the area. Initially built with natural grass and later covered with artificial turf, this striking figure was a gift to the city, enduring incidents and returning to the park with a more robust base. The park also hosts Exploratório, Centro Ciência Viva de Coimbra, a space dedicated to science and learning, integrated into the leisure and nature environment that the park offers.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt